Touch Book: The Open Source Netbook

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Touch Book: The Open Source Netbook

Posted on 08 March 2009 by Joel McLaughlin

I was listening to the Linux Cranks (NSFW), and heard about this absolutely cool netbook that is now available f0r preorder.

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Taking a page from Open Moko, the Touch Book is completely open device. You can go to the Always Innovating website and download everything you need to build your own Touch Book.

The Touch Book is similar to HP’s tc1100 tablet, in that the base unit detaches from the keyboard allowing it to be used like a tablet. The back of the base unit is also magnetized.

Ever had a EVDO or other USB dongle you always wanted to keep connected? Well the Touch Book has a internal USB port that let’s you keep a USB device permanently attached and secure.

The hardware is based on TI’s OMAP CPU, which means it’s ARM based. Windows XP or Vista will not run on it, which leaves Linux. It will use the Ångström Linux Distribution. I think this is the Linux community’s answer to keeping a netbook that only belongs to the community.

This post was written by:

Joel McLaughlin - who has written 491 posts on Gear Diary.

Joel is a system admin for a local college in Columbus, OH. While he loves Linux and tend to use it more than anything else, he will stoop to running closed source if it is the best tool for the job. His techno passions are Linux, Android, netbooks, GPS, podcasting and Personal Media Players.

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Vanessa Knight 
RT @GearDiarySite: Touch Book: The Open Source Netbook http://tinyurl.com/cgs6pr
http://intensedebate.com/people/cgavula cgavula
Linux isn't the only possibility – it sould also be able to run Windows CE/WIndows Mobile. I'm not sure I'd personally go through the hoops for that, but I suspect someone will since that OS also runs on ARM chips.
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/cgavula cgavula
Linux isn't the only possibility – it should also be able to run Windows CE/WIndows Mobile. I'm not sure I'd personally go through the hoops for that, but I suspect someone will since that OS also runs on ARM chips.